KUCHING: There are no better ways to compensate the people of Belaga who were affected by the impoundment of Bakun dam than providing them with road accessibility, said Land Development Minister Dato Sri James Masing.
NEW COMMUNITY HEADS: Masing (third right) is flanked by Tony on his right and Katan. Also seen from left are Abit, Sikie and Angeline.
He said roads would be the best alternative to river transport for these people and they should be built as soon as possible.
Belaga folk, particularly those residing downstream of Bakun dam, were hard hit with transportation woes since the impoundment of the dam, coupled with dry weather, he noted.
The Baleh assemblyman and Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president mentioned the 34-km Belaga- Menjawah, and Bukit Gayong roads are among the important roads that should be given priority.
Earlier, he handed over appointment letters to two community leaders from the Kenyah community at his office at the new DUN Complex.
Tony Kulleh, 50 was appointed as Pemanca while Katan Lawai, 49, as Penghulu.
Present at the ceremony were Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Billy Abit, Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department John Sikie Tayai and Political Secretary to the Chief Minister Angeline Umis
Masing said the government acknowledged the growing population of the Kenyah community and therefore giving them the Penghulu and Pemanca posts were most appropriate.
According to him, Kenyah population is around 6,000.
Meanwhile, Liwan Lagang (BN- Belaga) when debating the 2011 State Budget suggested that the people living downstream of Belaga be given subsistence allowance until the full impoundment of Bakun
dam.
He said the allowance would be similar to that given to fishermen who could not go out to the sea because of landas season.
“To the people in Belaga, who have sacrificed for the development of the nation, they deserved to be given the allowance,” he told the august house.